first in Antioch Ephes 3. 15. Of whom the family in heaven and earth is named to call b upon him b 1 Cor. 1. 2. All that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ by calling him c their Lord c 1 Cor. 12. 3. No man can say that Jesus Christ is the Lord but by the Holy Ghost 2. By a Church is meant a congregation of such men called and gathered together by the Word Mat. 13. 37. till 44. to be d separate from the world d 2 Cor. 6. 17. Come out from them and be ye separate saith the Lord and I will receive you Revel 18. 4. Come out of her viz. of Babylon my people and in the use of all Christs ordinances to be an habitation of God through the Spirit Ephes 2. 19 20 2â— 22. 3. The duty of Christians as visible professors of Christianity doth stand in a threefold Relation The first is to the Church as it is the Body of Christ The second is to the Eldership of that Church The third is to the Members thereof Of the first viz. Duties relating to the Body of Christ 4. All Christians that glory in the name of Christ ought to appeare e for him amongst men e Matth. 10. 32 33. Whosoever shall confesse me before men him will I confesse also before my Father which is in heaven but whosoever shall deny me before men him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven And they ought so to appeare as he hath appointed and not as they think good or as men appoint Mat. 15. 9. In vain do they worship me teaching for doctrines the commandements of men 5. Those that will appeare for Christ ought to apply themselves to some particular Congregation professing Saintship as Members thereof Mat. 12. 30. He that is not with me is against me and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad Mat. 11. 28 29. Come unto me take my yoke upon you Gal. 6. 10. Them who are of the houshold of faith 1 Joh. 2. 19. They went out from us but they were not of us c. Isa 8. 16. Binde up the Testimony and seale the Law among my disciples 1 Cor. 1 2. Vnto the Church of God which is at Corinth to them that are sanctified called to be Saints 1 Cor. 12. 27. Ye are members in particular 6. It is foretold that there should be many Congregations in the Church of the Gospel and yet all upon the same Mount Sion and under the same defence and by Gods appointment to be as one Body Isa 4. 5. Vpon every dwelling place of mount Zion and upon her assemblies there shall be a cloud and smoak by day and the burning of a flaming fire by night Joh. 10. 16. Other sheep not of this fold them I must bring there shall be one fold and one shepherd 7. Now to understand the Relation which believing Professours have unto the Church three things are to be considered First how every Believer doth stand as to a particular Congregation Secondly how one Congregation doth stand as to another in respect both of the Members and of the Rulers thereof And thirdly how Believers should apply themselves unto particular Congregations and be received therein by their Elderships 8. All Believers are baptized by one Spirit into one Body Of the first head how believers stand in a particular congregation 1 Cor. 12 13. and in that one Body they are called to the enjoyment of the Peace of God Coloss 3. 15. and therein by God set in their severall places 1 Cor. 12. 18. and made members one of another Rom. 12. 4 5. and joyned and compacted together by joynts under their head Christ Jesus Ephes 4. 16. whose Body is every congregation of believers 1 Cor. 12. 27. Now ye viz. Corinthians are the Body of Christ Rom. 12. 5. So we viz. Romans are one Body in Christ And the Church universall Ephes 1. 22 23. the head over all things to the Church which is his Body the fulnesse of him that filleth all in all 9. From hence it is evident that every believer is not only bound to make open profession of his faith as is f required Rom. 10. 9 10. f If thou confesse with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead thou shalt be saved For with the heart man believeth unto righteousnesse and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation but that in so doing he is bound to appeare in the communion of g Saints standing in one body fast together with others striving for the Faith of the Gospel Phil. 1 27. g Ph. 2. 1 2 4. If there be any consolation in Christ if any comfort of love if any fellowship of the Spirit be ye like-minded having the same love being of one accord of one mind look not every man on his own things but every man also on the things of others And by this conjunction of Believers when an Eldership is rightly set over them particular Congregations are constituted As Act. 14. 22 23. The Apostles having converted the Gentiles to the faith ordained them Elders in every Church with prayer and fasting 10. As single Believers are bound to associate themselves one to Of the second head how congregations doe stand one to another another so ought every congregation of Believers to associate it self to its neighbour-congregation by the very same rules bands by which particular Christians are bound to joyn themselves one to another For if all Believers in the world are baptized into one Body 1 Cor. 12. 13. and if all are called to the Peace of God in that one Body Col. 3. 15. and are bound to endeavour the Vnity of the Spirit one towards another in the Bond of that Peace because there is but one Body of Christ in all the world Ephes 4. 1 2 3 4. which is homogeneall that is of the same kinde in all the members thereof And if this whole Body is to be fitly joyned and compacted together by that which every joint supplieth Ephes 4. 16. Then ought none of all the congregations of Believers to stand separate one from another but are bound to unite themselves by their joynts that is their Officers so neer as possibly they can in all Spirituall relations for their mutuall edification in love Ephes 4. 16. 11. So then every true Believer that hath made open profession In respect of their Members of his faith by being a member of any one Congregation hath a right of membership unto all the congregations of the world because all are but one in Christ Gal. 3. 28. and all have one and the same accesse unto the Father and are fellow-citizens and of the same houshold of Faith Ephes 2. 19. 12. It is then contrary to the mind of Christ that those who make profession of the same faith and worship in the same way should stand
condescend one to another to partake of the same each with other and consequently no man ought to stand alone in the profession 34. So then every Minister of the Gospel in the duties of his Ministerial charge is bound in conscience to maintain a Brotherly communion and correspondency with his neighbour Ministers chiefly in matters of common and publike concernment So that every one is bound to ask the question which the Spouse proposeth unto Christ in the Canticles chap. 1. 7. Tell me O thou whom my soule loveth where thou feedest where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon And then to follow the duty prescribed in e the Answer e Cant. 1. 8. Go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock and feed thy kids besides the shepherds tents 35. By which means all the Congregations of Professours will be as they ought to be co-ordinate unto each other as companies of horses in Pharaohs chariots Cant. 1. 9. combined in the same warfare for the same Kings service 36. Now this conjunction and co-ordination of Churches by the brotherly combination of their Leaders as it may not prejudge the liberty which they have in Christ so it should oblige them to a right use of that liberty to make it serviceable unto each other in the communion of Saints 37. It cannot be serviceable to this end and binding without a free willing mutuall agreement of Brethren to walk in the same publike wayes First of Doctrine and of Worship for the honour of God secondly of Government for the good of Believers to strengthen them in the way of the Heavenly calling Thirdly of Discipline for the rooting out of vice and scandals which dishonour the profession 38. To make this agreement free and mutuall there must be some Assemblies and Conferences setled and these so ordered that all things shall be carried with that equality that none shall have cause to think himself borne down or excluded from his right or past by and concluded without his consent in matters which do concern him 39. And to do this two things must needs be determined First what the orderly constitution of the Assemblies must be in their Members and method of handling matters by way of conference Secondly what the matters are which they should meddle withall and what the things are which they should not meddle withall 40. In all which besides that which is cleerly to be gathered from the word of God the practises and the tryed courses of the Reformed churches should be taken into consideration and prudentially applied unto the circumstances of our present condition Wherein I beseech God to direct us to his glory in the advancement of our peace Amen CHAP. V. Concerning the office and imployment of Ruling Elders THat Ruling a Elders are officers in the Church of God may be cleerly gathered from Rom. 12. 8. He that ruleth with diligence a 1 Tim. 5. 17. Let the Elders that rule well be counted worthy of double-honour chiefly those that labour in the word and doctrine 1 Cor. 12. 28. God hath set in the Church Governments 2. That they are officers distinct from other officers is also plain from the same place chiefly from that of 1 Tim. 5. 17. and from Rom. 12. 4 6. compared with 8. For in 1 Tim. 5. 17. he doth mention two sorts of Elders first in the generall those that rule well secondly more distinctly those that in bearing rule labour in the word and doctrine And in Rom. 12. 4. the Apostle saith that there are many members in the body of the Church and that they have not all of them the same offices then v. 6. he saith that the gifts of grace which makes men capable of offices are different and then in the latter part of v. 6. and v. 7. 8. he sheweth what the particular differences of offices are amongst which he reckoneth up that of Ruling from whence it followeth that the Ruler is not only an officer but a different officer from the others named in that place 3. The nature of the office belonging to them may be understood 1. By the names given to it 2. By the things about which it is conversant 3. By the end which it hath in being conversant thereabout 4. By the parts of the work to be done in it First the Names given to these Elders are Rulers Governours Overseers Stewards The name of Ruler in the originall is twofold one doth import Superiority another Action the first is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the second 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 both are translated Rulers but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth properly signifie one that standeth over others in authority and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth properly signifie one that doth lead and guide others in the way wherein they ought to walk The name of Governour doth signifie one that giveth directions and addresses whereby others are ordered in a course as a ship by him that sitteth at the helm thereof The name of Overseer 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth import both authority and action by the inspection which a Superior doth take of one that is under his charge The name of Steward doth signifie one that is to see the laws and orders of his Masters house observed and hath the keyes thereof committed unto his keeping 2. The Things about which the charge is conversant are in generall the Church and such as may be gained thereunto Which is the spirituall b house and tabernacle of God b Ephes 2. 21 22. It viz. the building groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord an habitation of God through the Spirit the body c of Christ q 1 Cor. 12. 27. Now ye are the body of Christ and members in particular and the Kingdome which is not of this d world d Joh. 18. 36. My kingdome is not of this world and therefore is not to be governed by the lawes of this world nor can the officers thereof claim their calling and authority from this world nor ought they to meddle in their charge with the e affairs of this world e Luk. 12. 14. Who made me a Judge or a divider over you If Christ was no Judge or divider in worldly matters then none of his Officers as under him In particular this office is conversant about the Religious profession and life of those that belong in any respect to the Church whether they be in or out of office Thirdly the End wherefore the Elders are conversant about these things is that they should look both to the Church and to the Members thereof to edifie that and preserve it from scandals and to make these fit to walk worthy of the calling by which they are called in the Gospel 4. The parts of their work are the severall duties whereunto they are obliged which are chiefly these First in respect of God they are his f stewards f Tit. 1. v. 5. with 7. Thou shouldest ordain Elders in every city as I appointed thee if any be blamelesse
Now by these Rules by Gods assistance all these difficulties may be overcome As for the particular acts of Government in themselves in admitting of Members to the Church in maâ—ing use of the Keyes of the Kingdome of Heaven in administring the Seals of the Covenant in overseeing the Flock and addressing or redressing them in their duties they ought not suddenly and hastily to be medled withall till these Fundamentals be well digested for by the Method which is in them prescribed they will prove successfull And in a word nothing will ever be found commendable or warrantable which in the undertaking hath not a rise from some cleer Rule in the Word and in the application is not proportionate to the capacity of those to whom it is to be applied for the Apostle doth instruct us by his example to become all things to all men to wiune some 1 Cor. 9. 22. CHAP. VII Concerning the office and imployment of Deaconâ— 1. THe name of a Deacon is diversly taken in the Scripture the Originall is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 yet alwayes signifying one that is appointed for or doth attend upon some service and according to the diversity of the service the word is differently taken 2. Sometime it is applied to common service sometime to peculiar service to be performed in the Church only It is applied to common service Mat. 8. 15. where it is said of Peters wives mother that she being cured of her fever rose and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ministred unto them And in this sense it is used Mat. 20. 26. He that will be great among you let him be your minister 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 3. When it is applied to service peculiarly belonging to the Church it is again differently taken First for the whole work which by Gods appointment is to be performed in the Church in all his Ordinances So Christ is called Rom. 15. 8. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Minister of the Circumcision so the Apostle 2 Cor. 6. 3 4. doth call himself a Deacon of God and his service 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Deaconship we render it Ministery the words are Giving none offence in any thing that the Ministery 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 be not blamed but in all things approving our selves as the Ministers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Deacons of God Here it takes in the Administration of the Word with the other service Secondly it is taken for that part of the Ministery which is contradistinct to the Administration of the Word and standeth wholly in matter of Action in which sense it is taken Rom. 12. 6 7. where the Apostle doth distribute all the offices belonging to the Church into two kinds into Prophesie and into 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ministery By the first he meaneth the whole dispensation of the Word and by the second all that which belongeth to matter of Action Thirdly it is taken most properly for that part of Action and Church-service which is distinct from the proper work of the Elders and so it is here to be considered and in this sense the quality of a Deacon is described 1 Tim. 3. from v. 8. till 14. 4. This office was instituted by the Apostles at Jerusalem to redresse an inconveniencie which did fall out in the daily ministrâ—â—ion namely the neglect of some widowes more then of others by reason of which inequality there arose a murmuring and discontent which by these Officers was remedied as you may read more at large Acts 6. v. 1. till 7. 5. The proper work then of the Deacons is To look to the provision which is made for the relief of the poor that it be equally distributed according to their necessities and to this effect they are to receive and keep the collections which are made for that use and they ought to visit and consider the state of the poor and sick that knowing their wants the Eldership and Congregation if need be may help to supply the same according to their ability 6. They ought in the work of their charge to be subordinate unto the Eldership upon whom the chief care of the Flock doth lie For to ease the chief Elders at Jerusalem they were created and the reason why they were constituted to ease them is still in force for the text saith thus Act. 6. 1. There arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews because their widowes were neglected in the daily ministration Vers 2. Then the Twelve called the multitude of the Disciples unto them and said it is not reason that we should leave the word of God and serve tables v. 3. Wherefore brethren look ye out among you seven men of honest report full of the Holy Ghost and wisdome whom we may appoint over this businesse v. 4. But we will give our selves continually to prayer and the ministry of the Word From whence it appeareth that the service of tables that is to provide meat for the poor and distribute unto them their portion is not to be imposed upon them that attend the labour of the Word and Prayer but ought to be committed unto some others And that these others are subordinate unto them appeareth both by the nature of their imployment which is about a matter of lower concernment and by the manner of their admission unto it which was by the imposition of the hands of the Eldership for the Apostles did appoint them to their office not only as Apostles but as Elders of that congregation 7. And because they are thus subordinate unto the Eldership by their primitive constitution therefore in the Reformed churches they are obliged to regulate their matters by the advise of the Eldership to whom they are bound from time to time to shew the accounts of their receipts and disbursments and the condition of the poor who are to be relieved In the Synodical Acts of the French churches cap. 4. and in the Church-Orders of the Dutch-churches art 25. 8. And because they are thus accountable unto the Eldership they are bound to keep exact reckonings of their receipts and disbursements The Receipts come in Foraigne churches chiefly in France and Low-Countries onely from free willing contributions which at every meeting of the Congregation to heare the Word are gathered by the Deacons and the Disbursements are indifferently to all the Poore who offer themselves but chiefly to those of their owne Congregation 9. In larger Congregations of the Foraign churches the Eldership hath their meeting apart from the Deacons the Deacons meet ordinarily by themselves once or twice a week but in lesser Congregations the Elders and Deacons meet ordinarily all together at least once a week CHAP. VIII Concerning the Duty of Christians as they are to be in a particular Church and under the government of Rulers set over them in the Lord. 1. WE understand by Christians men that have given up their names unto Christ to be called a by his name a Act. 11. 26. The Disciples were called Christians
what Rules and Grounds it doth stand in the Communion of Saints to prejudge no mans just and conscionable Liberty and yet to act Regularly and with all competent Authority 3. What the way should be by which the Combination of Elderships ought to deale with such as are without who disturbe and trouble the peace of their Congregations Here the manner of conferring with those that are not co-ordinate with them in the Profession is to be opened to shew that it doth tend only to the conviction and reformation of mens spirits and not to the blasting of mens names or any other outward inconveniencie to be brought upon them by reason of their disagreement from them in opinion and practise If these declarations concerning the Classical Presbyteries were published as I conceive they may bee drawn up from the grounds of Scripture and undeniable Principles of Holy communion and right reason and backed with the practise of all the best Reformed Churches they might bee a fit playster for the sores which are in mens minds against the government These are in briefe the heads of my thoughts concerning the cure of our present fits of distemper as it may by Gods blessing be wrought out in a spirituall way what the Civill Magistrate in his Prudence and according to his place may and ought to doe outwardly to regulate the outward behaviours of men so as to make them without offence I shall not now speak of but leave it to the wisdome of the State praying that God would direct them to doe all things by their own light and for their true end of government and not by the instigation and prompting of others who may have by-ends to sway them As for the Reformation in times to come because wee should endevour not only to build up the wast places but also to lay the foundations of many generations thoughts should be had of these things following without the accomplishment of which in some competent measure we shall transmit little or no comfort unto posterity in the fruit of our undertakings Thoughts then I say should be had First of the wayes of constituting Schooles for the education of youth throughout the Kingdome in reference to foure sorts of people viz. 1. to the Mechanicks 2. To the Gentry and Nobles 3. To those that are to be trained up to teach others in humane Sciences 4. To the sons of the Prophets Secondly of the wayes of purging the Vniversities from the froth of ambitious and contentious Learning and Debates of Sciences falsly so called To bring Scholars to a Demonstrative way of attaining profitable Knowledge and by the exercise and imployment of their Talents for the benefit of each other without envy to increase in infinitum beyond the present bounds thereof Thirdly of enlarging unto all sorts of people Scripturall knowledge not only by Catecheticall exercises more exactly to be intended for the manner thereof by Pastors Parents School-masters and Masters of families then hitherto hath been minded but by regular and well ordered Conferences either in private or in publike as well to resolve doubts from the Text as to enlarge the discovery of Truths and Mysteries therein Fourthly and lastly of the wayes and Rules of Spirituall and Rationall Meditation in Divine and Humane things to rectifie the Principles of mens thoughts in the search of Knowledge whether from the Scripture by the grounds of demonstrating the true sense thereof in the Literal Material and Mystical analysis of the Text or from other Objects wherein the Mind of man may be more freely imployed either for Theoretical or Practical aims Of all which it is not now seasonable to speak any more but this That I shall intreat thee good Reader not to despise the dayes of small things nor to mistrust Gods power and goodnesse concerning that which he doth intend to do in the last dayes but to lift up thy prayer with me that we may be all fitted to receive and to make right use of the Grace which in the midst of many trials is offered unto us in Christ Jesus To him be glory for ever Amen THE CONTENTS Chap. 1. Pag. 1. COncerning a Church as it is the house of God Chap. 2. p. 2. Of the Members of Christs body and their Conjunction Chap. 3. p. 4. Of the Ordinances of Worship and Government Chap. 4. p. 7. Concerning the office imployment of the Pastor Teacher Chap. 5. p. 19. Concerning the office and imployment of Ruling Elders Chap. 6. p. 23. Some Rules taken from the Word of God to shew how the Elderships of a particular Church ought to settle the spirituall Government of the Flock committed to them Chap. 7. p. 25. Concerning the office and imployment of Deacons Chap. 8. p. 28. Concerning the duty of Christians as they are to be in a particular Church and under the government of Rulers set over them in the Lord. Chap. 9. p. 36. Certain Rules concerning the Administration of the Lords Supper for the decent ordering of the action offered to the consideration of those that scruple at the gesture of Sitting Chap. 10. p. 55. The practise of the best Reformed Churches in the Administration of the Lords supper THE GROUNDS OF THE SPIRITUAL FRAME OF THE HOUSE of GOD. CHAP. I. Concerning a CHURCH as it is the House of God 1. A Congregationall Church is a a dwelling place of Mount Zion a Isa 4 5. The Lord will create a cloud upon every dweling place of Mount Zion and upon her Assemblies Ergo there are many dwelling places many Assemblies of Mount Zion and each of them hath a promise of the Lords presence with them And one of her Assemblies that is to say a b House of God b 1 Tim. 3. 15. The House of God which is the Church of the living God 2. This house is built upon the foundation c of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the cheife corner stone c Ephes 2. 20. and ye viz. Ephesians are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the cheif corner stone as the Ephesians were so all true Churches are built upon Christ alone 3. The end and use of this building is to bee an d habitation of God through the Spirit d Ephes 2. 22. in whom you viz. Ephesians also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit 4. God then through e Christ dwelleth therein e Joh. 17. 23. I in them and thou in me that they may be made perfect in one Ergo if they be united by any other tye to one another then by their relation to Christ they are neither perfect as one nor a true habitation of God by the Spirit And that two wayes First in the lively members of Christs body fitly joyned together Secondly in the spirituall ordinances of his worship and government rightly observed CHAP. II. Of the Members of Christs body and their conjunction THe members of Christs body are all the